KOICA-Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum Held

Gyeongnam Jisanhakganmin Cooperation, Building a Global Open Innovation Platform Topic

The Gyeongsang National University Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center held the "2024 Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum" on the 20th and 21st at the Gajwa Campus International Language Institute under the theme "Establishing a Global Open Innovation Platform through Gyeongnam Industry-Academia-Government-Civil Cooperation."

KOICA-Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum Held

KOICA-Gyeongsang National University ODA Activation and Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum Held. Provided by Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center

About 200 development cooperation stakeholders attended the forum, including local governments, higher education institutions, public institutions, national research institutes, industries, universities, private organizations, the Korea-Nepal International Exchange Association, and the NGO Good Neighbors, all based in Gyeongnam.

Attendees at the Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum included Kwon Jin-hoe, President of Gyeongsang National University; Lee Yoon-young, Executive Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA); Bae Byung-soo, International Relations Ambassador of Gyeongnam Province; Oh Dong-ho, Director of the Gyeongnam Research Institute; Lee Dae-hoe, Vice President of Inje University; Puspa Raj Bhattarai, Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal in Korea; Kim Kwan-young, Director of the Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center; Bae Kyung-jin, Director of the Multicultural Promotion Institute at Changwon National University; Yoon Jong-seon, Chairman of the Korea-Nepal International Exchange Association; Kim Yong-su, Executive Representative; Choi Jin-deuk, Vice Chairman of the Gyeongnam Provincial Sports Council; Ok Young-moon, former Chairperson of Geoje City Council; Kim Seong-hoon, Special Professor at Seokyeong University; Oh Jin-ah, Professor at Inje University; Jeong Gwan-su, Head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Inje University; Kim Chan-woo, former Climate Change Ambassador; and Choi Jin-wook, Coach of the Korea Taekwondo Association.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been establishing international development cooperation centers since 2015 to promote international development cooperation (ODA) outside the capital region. The Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center was opened at Gyeongsang National University in February 2023. The center hosts the Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum and promotes cooperation to expand the base of ODA in Gyeongnam. As Gyeongnam is a region with a well-established industrial base, the center is strengthening ODA based on specialized industries.

The opening session of the Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum began with an opening address by Kwon Jin-hoe, President of Gyeongsang National University, and an encouragement speech by Lee Yoon-young, Executive Director of KOICA. This was followed by congratulatory remarks from Oh Dong-ho, Director of the Gyeongnam Research Institute; Lee Dae-hoe, Vice President of Inje University; and Puspa Raj Bhattarai, Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal in Korea, as well as a progress report by Professor Kim Kwan-young, Director of the Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center.

President Kwon Jin-hoe of Gyeongsang National University emphasized, "We are expanding international development cooperation in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) region in cooperation with central government ministries and activating local government education ODA to strengthen global education cooperation. The Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum will become a development cooperation platform where diverse stakeholders gather."

In his on-site congratulatory speech, Puspa Raj Bhattarai, Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal in Korea, said, "Congratulations on the hosting of the Gyeongnam Global Integration Forum. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal this year, Nepal’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari, the President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, and numerous Nepalese businesspeople will visit Korea. On December 16, an investment briefing session for Nepal will be held at the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This meaningful event will provide an opportunity to explore practical partnerships for private exchanges and economic development between the two countries in various fields," urging strong interest.

The forum began with a keynote speech by Professor Kim Chan-woo on the theme "Overcoming the Global Environmental Crisis through International Development Cooperation" and proceeded through six sessions. Each session shared current issues in Gyeongnam’s international development cooperation and ODA and discussed ways to expand governance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Following this, Director Kim Kwan-young presented strategies for Gyeongnam’s development and ODA expansion through cooperation among industry, academia, government, and civil sectors.

Participating institutions included Gyeongnam Province, Gyeongsang National University, Changwon National University, Inje University, Gyeongnam National University, Gyeongnam Research Institute, ESG Industrial Value Research Institute, Small and Medium Business Corporation, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, and Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., among others, who took part in presentations and discussions.

At the closing ceremony, Kim Kwan-young, Director of the Gyeongnam International Development Cooperation Center, delivered a presentation titled "Strategies for Regional Development in Gyeongnam and Expansion of Glocal International Development Cooperation," emphasizing, "Through cooperation among diverse stakeholders in Gyeongnam’s industry, academia, government, and civil sectors toward building a global open innovation platform, we must enhance the outcomes of the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen the capacity to solve social problems."